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Masters of the Universe
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Creation & Design

The Masters of the Universe franchise was created by Mattel in the late 1970s, designed to sell action figures and toys. The characters were developed with a mix of fantasy and science fiction elements.

Early Years

The franchise began with the release of action figures in 1982, followed by an animated television series that popularized the characters and their stories.

Character Development

Over the years, the characters of the Masters of the Universe have evolved, with various adaptations in comics, animated series, and films, reflecting changing cultural values and storytelling techniques.

Cultural Reception

The franchise has received a mixed reception over the years, with a dedicated fanbase that appreciates its blend of fantasy and action.

Character Details

Real Name:
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
First Appearance:
Masters of the Universe Picture Book
Aliases:
He-Man, Skeletor, She-Ra, Battle Cat, Orko
Species:
Human
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
The Heroic Warriors, The Evil Warriors
Abilities:
Superhuman strength, Flight, Magic
Equipment:
Sword of Power, Shield of Protection, Battle Cat
Weight:
200lbs
Height:
6' 0"
Eye Color:
blue
Hair Color:
blonde

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Masters of the Universe Picture Book
Mattel ⋅ 1981
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Masters of the Universe Picture Book
 
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Key Facts

"He-Man and the Power Sword"

The first of four illustrated books printed and packaged with Masters of the Universe action figures

DC Comics Presents #47
DC ⋅ 1982
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DC Comics Presents #47
 
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1st appearance of He-Man in standard comic book format

1st appearance of Skeletor in standard comic book format

Arak, Son of Thunder #15
DC ⋅ 1982
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Arak, Son of Thunder #15
 
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Key Facts

14-page preview of Masters of the Universe #1 (1982)

There were 16 individual issues that included the same preview published between July/August 1982

Five-issues were the first to have the preview, published July 13, 1982:

Firestorm #6, DC Comics Presents #51, Arak #15, Justice League of America #208, Wonder Woman #297

Justice League of America #208
DC ⋅ 1982
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Justice League of America #208
 
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Key Facts

14-page preview of Masters of the Universe #1 (1982)

There were 16 individual issues that included the same preview published between July/August 1982

Five-issues were the first to have the preview, published July 13, 1982: Firestorm #6, DC Comics Presents #51, Arak #15, Justice League of America #208, Wonder Woman #297

Wonder Woman #297
DC ⋅ 1982
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Wonder Woman #297
 
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Blackwing, the first black Batman inspired superhero

14-page preview of Masters of the Universe #1 (1982)

There were 16 individual issues that included the same preview published between July/August 1982

Five-issues were the first to have the preview, published July 13, 1982:

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Firestorm #6, DC Comics Presents #51, Arak #15, Justice League of America #208, Wonder Woman #297

Firestorm the Nuclear Man #6
DC ⋅ 1982
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Firestorm the Nuclear Man #6
 
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Key Facts

14-page preview of Masters of the Universe #1 (1982)

There were 16 individual issues that included the same preview published between July/August 1982

Five-issues were the first to have the preview, published July 13, 1982: Firestorm #6, DC Comics Presents #51, Arak #15, Justice League of America #208, Wonder Woman #297

DC Comics Presents #51
DC ⋅ 1982
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DC Comics Presents #51
 
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Key Facts

14-page preview of Masters of the Universe #1 (1982)

There were 16 individual issues that included the same preview published between July/August 1982

Five-issues were the first to have the preview, published July 13, 1982: Firestorm #6, DC Comics Presents #51, Arak #15, Justice League of America #208, Wonder Woman #297

Masters of the Universe #1
DC ⋅ 1982
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Masters of the Universe #1
 
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Key Facts

Three-issue limited series published by DC

This is the first Masters of the Universe title published by a major comic book company

Earlier He-Man related comics were distributed with action figures and were more closely related to children's picture books

Between July/August 1982, there were 16 issues that went on sale with a 14-page preview

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Five were published on July 13, 1982:

Firestorm #6, DC Comics Presents #51, Arak #15, Justice League of America #208, Wonder Woman #29

Masters of the Universe #2
DC ⋅ 1983
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Masters of the Universe #2
 
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Issue two of the three-issue miniseries published by DC

Masters of the Universe #3
DC ⋅ 1983
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Masters of the Universe #3
 
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Key Facts

Conclusion of the three-issue miniseries published by DC

Masters of the Universe #1
Star Comics ⋅ 1986
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Masters of the Universe #1
 
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$70

Key Facts

Premiere issue from Star Comics / Marvel

Marvel Age #38
Marvel ⋅ 1986
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Marvel Age #38
 
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Key Facts

Marvel acquires the Masters of the Universe publishing license

3-page article promoting the Masters of the Universe series, which ran for 13-issues under the Star imprint

Masters of the Universe The Motion Picture #1
Star Comics ⋅ 1987
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Masters of the Universe The Motion Picture #1
 
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Key Facts

One-shot adaptation of the Masters of the Universe (1987) film script

There are a number of differences between the script and the final cut of the movie that is evident throughout the one-shot

Masters of the Universe #12
Star Comics ⋅ 1988
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Masters of the Universe #12
 
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Key Facts

Death of He-Man

Masters of the Universe #13
Star Comics ⋅ 1988
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Masters of the Universe #13
 
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Death of Skeletor

1st appearance of Evil-Lyn in a standard U.S. comic

Final issue, series finale

Masters of the Universe #1
Promo ⋅ Mattel ⋅ 2002
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Masters of the Universe #1
 
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Key Facts

16-page comic book packaged with He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Mattel action figures in 2002

Cover art by Neal Adams

Masters of the Universe #1
Variant ⋅ MV Creations ⋅ 2004
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Masters of the Universe #1
 
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Key Facts

Variant cover art by Emiliano Santalucia

Quadruple gatefold convention exclusive

Masters of the Universe #1
Variant ⋅ MV Creations ⋅ 2004
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Masters of the Universe #1
 
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Key Facts

Variant wraparound cover art by Frank Quitely

Masters of the Universe #2
Variant ⋅ MV Creations ⋅ 2004
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Masters of the Universe #2
 
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$15
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Key Facts

Variant cover art by Brett Booth and Val Staples

Masters of the Universe #6
Variant ⋅ MV Creations ⋅ 2004
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Masters of the Universe #6
 
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$200

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Variant cover art by Andy Smith, Jay Leisten and Jason Keith, limited to 500 numbered copies

He-Man.org exclusive

Masters of the Universe #7
MV Creations ⋅ 2004
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Masters of the Universe #7
 
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Cover art featuring Stratos

Masters of the Universe #7
Variant ⋅ MV Creations ⋅ 2004
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Masters of the Universe #7
 
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Variant cover art by Eamon O'Donoghue, limited to 500 copies

Masters of the Universe #8
MV Creations ⋅ 2004
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Masters of the Universe #8
 
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Cover art featuring Orko

Final issue

Masters of the Universe #8
Variant ⋅ MV Creations ⋅ 2004
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Masters of the Universe #8
 
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$380

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Variant wraparound cover art by Randy Green

Graham Cracker Comics exclusive

A short-lived collaboration between Image and a company called MVCreations published 7 He-Man series between 2002-2003: The Shards of Darkness, Dark Reflections, Rise of the Snake Men, Dream Halloween, Icons of Evil and 5 Specials, totaling 33 issues and 32 variants

🥈 Runner-Up: New High [Previous High]

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9.8 sold for $700 [No Previous Data]

DC Comics Presents #47
Reprint ⋅ DC ⋅ 2009
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DC Comics Presents #47
 
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Key Facts

Reprint of He-Man's first appearance in a DC comic

Promotional giveaway issued to customers who purchased a DC Universe Classics vs Masters of the Universe Classics action figure (Superman/He-Man)

Advertised as included in the package but it was not

He-Man / Thundercats #1
DC ⋅ 2016
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He-Man / Thundercats #1
 
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Team-up of the Masters of the Universe and Thundercats

Masters of the Universe: Revelation #1
Non-Key
Store Exclusive ⋅ Dark Horse ⋅ 2021
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Masters of the Universe: Revelation #1
 
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Variant cover art by Ryan G. Browne

Store exclusive available at PharcydeComics.com

Masters of the Universe: Revelation #1
Store Exclusive ⋅ Dark Horse ⋅ 2021
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Masters of the Universe: Revelation #1
 
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Variant cover art by Dan Brereton

Masters of the Universe: Revelation #1
Store Exclusive ⋅ Dark Horse ⋅ 2021
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Masters of the Universe: Revelation #1
 
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Key Facts

Variant virgin wraparound cover art by Alex Ross

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